Freedom to be and economic implications.

Freedom is calling.

This morning after attempting unsuccessfully to calm the noise in my head and meditate on God, I picked up a book my wife bought for me by William T Cavanaugh titled Being Consumed. It is a short book about economics and Christian desire that bases market theory and consumption on Augustines work on freedom and desire. It’s one of those blow your mind books.

Cavannaugh writes, “Autonomy in the strict sense is simply impossible, for to be independent of others and independent of God is to be cut off from being, and thus be nothing at all.” He posits that a negative view of freedom will result in a jaded view of economics. If all we need to thrive is the absence of coercion and interference, we are left with a very flimsy sort of relationship to society and things. If however, we are free to be something and working towards a shared goal that is set by the setter of ultimate reality, then we are free indeed. And that freedom has tremendous economic implications.

Now, to board another airplane and think!